Page 57 of Inexplicable

Jenna had looked a little surprised when I’d suggested taking the bike because she’d never ridden on one before, but she’d been enthusiastic about trying it out.

We wouldn’t have time for the grand tour of the UP, but we could see the eastern highlights like Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks.

I’d been to the UP more times than I could count, and I still hadn’t visited every possible sight. It was a huge area to cover, with a plethora of picturesque places to see.

I usually took road trips with one or all of my team, and we generally camped.

That wasn’t happening this time.

I booked hotels because I didn’t want Jenna sleeping in an uncomfortable tent. It was too cool at night for that, and even with an air mattress for padding, it wasn’t like sleeping in a comfortable bed.

I was used to sleeping anywhere.

Jenna wasn’t.

Despite the impressive land mass of the Upper Peninsula, only a very small percentage of Michigan’s population resided in the UP. Last I looked, it was about three or four percent.

That was probably why I liked going there.

It was one place where there was still a lot of unspoiled nature to see.

“How long is Jenna going to hang out in Michigan?” Gage asked from his spot on the sofa.

“Not sure,” I said noncommittally. “We haven’t really talked about her return to California. She can work remotely, but I know she can’t stay forever. She has a home in Los Angeles and she mentioned that she has a few lectures scheduled.”

“We like her,” Nate observed. “Maybe she should just move here. She likes to stargaze at night. The sky looks a lot better from here than from Los Angeles.”

“I think she likes us, too,” Seth added. “And she and Sara are getting pretty close.”

“She’ll definitely miss the Beachfront Café if she leaves,” Gage told me. “I think she’s addicted to the blueberry cobbler.”

“Who isn’t?” I asked with amusement in my tone, happy that my friends had completely accepted Jenna into the fold.

We’d eaten at the Beachfront Café four days ago, but we’d stopped by for dessert last night because Jenna was getting addicted to the blueberry cobbler.

Anyone who had lived here in Cherry Cove long enough knew where to go for the best cobbler in the area.

She’d groaned about the calories, but I was actually glad that she’d gotten her curves back.

Cobbler aside, we were eating healthier, and Jenna was absolutely stunning now that all her injuries were healed.

Sleeping with her every night might not be easy, but I wouldn’t trade it to be alone again.

I’d always thought of myself as a loner, but Jenna was quickly becoming absolutely essential to my happiness.

I wanted to see her beautiful face when I woke up and before I went to sleep every night.

“I think it’s going to kill me when she wants to leave,” I admitted hoarsely.

“I think you’re going to be screwed,” Gage agreed in a much too cheery voice. “I think you should convince her to move. She’s become part of the family.”

“I can’t just ask her to move here,” I said in a disgruntled voice. “We haven’t known each other for that long, and she’s always lived in Southern California. Everything she knows is there.”

“Does it matter if she’s never lived anywhere else?” Nate asked. “It’s just geography. I honestly think she likes it better here.”

“It doesn’t matter where she goes,” I concurred. “She’ll still be mine.”

It was just that simple for me.